Drinking water for a seaside tourism community

This plant was the second sea water desaliantion plant for potable use commissioned in South Australia.

Client

District Council of Yorke Peninsula

Technology

Seawater Desalination using Reverse Osmosis

Location

Marion Bay, South Australia

Commissioned

May 2008

Project Scale

60kl/d

Challenge Marion Bay is a small coastal resort town on South Australia's Yorke Peninsula. Extended drought was placing further strain on already inadequate drinking water supplies which came mainly from rainwater tanks or bores of deteriorating quality. Indeed bore water was of such poor quality as to cause corrosion in drinking water infrastructure, resulting in the need for frequent maintenance. The District Council of Yorke Peninsula desperately needed a solution that was sustainable in the long term.

Solution After an extensive consultation process and the consideration of alternative options including pipelines, it was decided that a small desalination plant drawing water from the ocean was the appropriate solution and this was endorsed by the Environmental Protection Authority (EPA). Osmoflo designed and build a 60kL/d sea water reverse osmosis plant which supplies a local caravan park extensively used by visitors to the township, as well as the local residents and businesses. Osmoflo's proprietary PlantConnect system enables remote control and monitoring and performance optimisation.

Result Marion Bay now boasts a climate independent, secure and sustainable supply able to meet population, tourism and business needs well into the future. Council no longer faces significant and on-going infrastructure repair costs or the need to provide expensive water cartage at peak periods.

DC of Yorke Peninsula is a regional council supporting over 11,000 residents. Two hours north of Adelaide, its area takes in surfing beaches and national parks, making it a major tourism destination.